Newton sktxlman



. N. SKILLMAN SELF ALIGNING SELF LUBHIC ATING BEARING AND METHOD OFFORMING THE SAME May 30, 1933.

Original Filed April 19, 1928,

Reisaued May 30, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE NEWTON SELL-HAN, OFDETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO 0. & S. IBIIIARING- 60., O1 DETROIT,MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN SELF-ALIGNING SELF-LUBRICATINGBEARING AND METHOD OF FORMING THE SAME Original No. 1,798,874, datedFebruary 24, 1931, Serial No. 271,879, filed April 19, 1928. Applicationfor reissue filed February 28, 1832. Serial No. 658,046.

This invention relates to a self-ali ing self-lubricating bearing andmethod of orming the same. It has to do particularly with an extremelysimple and compact bearing for supporting and automatically aligningcross brake shafts for automobile chassis frames although it is not inany way restricted thereto.

In the past, considerable difiiculty has been' experienced in aligningthe bearings and cross brake shafts for automobile frames or the likedue to inaccuracies in initial fabrication and assembly. Attempts havebeen made to design bearings to take care of this inaccuracy ofalignment, but such attempts have involved complicated and expensivebearing supports, and particularly so with hearing supports of theself-aligning self-lubricating type.

It is the object of the present invention to provide an extremelycompact, adjustable, self-alinging bearing member for rotatable shaftscomprising an inner bearing member of substantial spherical shape andhaving a self-lubricating bushing directly receivlng and'supporting arotatable shaft, and a second spherical bearing member alsohaving aself-lubricating bushing for resiliently and adjustably supporting themain spherical bearing member, the said outer spherical bearing memberbeing preferably formed integrally with a supporting plate for theentire unit.

Another important feature of the present invention relates to the methodof fabricating and forming this complete unit, wherein the outerspherical bearin member is initially formed from av cylin rical tubing,the inner spherical bearing member, the lubricant impregnated fibrousmaterial between the two bearing members, and the support ing plate allbeing positioned centrally of th1s tubing, and said tubing stamped orformed into a substantial spherical shape locking said central bearingmember in posi-' tion and being integrally secured to said supportingplate in one operation. Other. important features as to structure andmethod will be brought out in the specification and claims.

In the drawing: Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view, partly in .section,illustrating the first step in the pre- Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig.1 and illustrating a modified method novel bearing structure.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 2 illustrating the final step offorming this modified bearing structure.

The present invention relates primarily to the forming of aself-lubricating self-adjusting bearing member in a single integral unitwhereby it may be directly mounted and as sembled upon an automobilechassis frame or other place with a minimum of time and expense. It isbelieved that the invention and the article may be best illustrated byfirst describing the method of fabrication and assembly.

The main bearing art in my complete bearing assembly pre erably consistsof a spherical bearing which may be designated 1 and which is preferablyspherical in shape and formed from a piece of straight cylindricaltubing. This spherical bearing member is provided on the interiorthereof with compressed lubricant im regnated fibrous material 2 whichis rigidly expended and compressed into shape with the formingof thebearing member 1, whereby to directly receive and support a rotatableshaft or other element. This bushing 2 being resilient and of lubricantimpregnated fibrous material will thoroughly and continuously lubricatethe shaft being supported and will also, due to its resiliency, wear foran unusuall long time.

n assembling a completed bearing, I preferably utilize .a piece ofstraight cylindrical metallic tubing 3, which is of predeterof formingmy mined diameter and length, and also of comparatively thin walls.Within this tubing 3, as shown in Fig. 1, I place a str p of wovenfabric 4 impregnated with a suitable lubricant. This strip 4 is formedfrom a flat straight strip cut to length. Inside of this strip 4 I nextplace the spherical bearing member 2 so that the strip 4 and the member2 are preferably centrally positioned of the tube 3.

On the outside of the tubing 3 and approximately centrally thereof, asshown in ig. 1, I position a supporting plate 5, such plate beingprovided with a suitable aperture for receiving the member 3. Thisentire assembly, as shown in Fig. 1, is compressed by suitable dies andformed into the shape shown in Fig. 2 in one operation. The tube 3 isformed into an outer bearing substantially spherical in shape or oflongitudinally varying contour, and is distorted as at 6 to lock theplate 5 into fixed central position. This complete fabrication andassembly of the unit in one operation may be accomplished in manydifferent ways and in Figs. 1 and 2, I have diagrammatically illustratedone method of accomplishing the same.

In the particular embodiment shown. the bearing 1, the bushing 4, andthe plate 5, are held centrally of the outer tubing 3 by means of apilot 7 and locating pins 8. The upper and lower die members are thenbrought together to distort the tubingB into a substantially sphericalshape, corresponding to the walls of the die members and to alsocollapse the same as at 6, whereby to positively secure the plate 5centrally of the bearing.

In Fig. 6 I have illustrated a somewhat modified form of self-aligningbearing, in that the outer casing 9 is collapsed as at 10 to form acentral annular flange around the periphery of the spherical outercasing 9, instead of securing a plate in place as shown in Fig. 2.Otherwise this hearing member shown in Fig. 6 is identical with thatshown in Fig. 2 and is fabricated and formed in substantially the samemanner.

In Fig. 5 I have diagrammatically illustrated one form of die structurefor forming this bearing and the same is provided with a locating andpositioning pilot 11 and the upper and lower diameter thereof is substantially the same as that shown in Fig. 1, with the exception that therecessed portions 12 are of less depth.

It will thus be seen that I have provided a novel self-lubricating,self-aligning hearing structure which is very compact and simple inconstruction and which maybe directly secured as a single unit tothef'rame of an automobile chassis or the like. In the embodiment shownin Fig. 2, the attaching plate forms a part of the bearing unit while inthe embodiment shown in Fig. 6 the bear ing unit is provided with anannular flange by which it may be readily secured and located in asuitable groove or by other attaching means. There are no split membersor no other adjusting or attaching means necessary for securingthis'unitary aligning bearing in position.

It will further be obvious that the bearing is formed of materials whichare extremely inexpensive and that such bearing is assembled and formedby a novel method in a single operation. The cylindrical tubing isstamped into shape and not only forms a substantially spherical outerunit but also locks the bearing member in adjustable position,compresses and positions the second layer of lubricant impre natedfibrous material around the inner caring and either rigidly secures thesupporting plate to the bearing or forms an annular flange to take theplace thereof.

It will further be obvious that by my novel method of forming andassembling thls bearing that I am able to initially use a flatwovenstrip of impregnated fibrous material which is automatically compressedinto shape with the distorting of the outer shell or tubing.

What I claim is:

1. The method of forming self-lubricating, self-aligning bearings, whichcomprises inserting an inner spherical bearing member and an outer stripof lubricant impregnated compressible material within a cylindricalmetallic member of predetermined len th, and applying pressure to saidcylindrical member to compress and shape said strip of material and formthe member into substantially spherical shape in one operation.

2. The method of forming self-lubricating, self-aligning bearings, whichcomprises inserting an outer strip of lubricant impregnated fibrousmaterial and an inner integral spherical bearing member within acylindrical metallic member of predetermined length, then applyingpressure to both ends of said member tocompress and shape said stripinto a substantially spherical bushing and collapse and form saidcylindrical unit into a substantially spherical shape in one operation,and at the same time positively and adjustably locate said fibrousmaterial and said spherical bearing memb r by said distorting action.

3. The method of forming self-lubricating, self-aligning bearings, whichcomprises in serting a spherical bearing member within a predeterminedlength of metallic tubing of uniform wall thickness, inserting a flatstrip of lubricant impregnated fibrous material-be tween said sphericalmember and said tubing, and then distorting the walls of said'tubinginto a substantially spherical shape to compress and shape the fabricaround said spherical member and to positively locate and position saidspherical member.

action and to distort a portion of the walls of said member to rigidlysecure the said plate in position.

5. The method of forming self-lubricating, self-aligning bearings, whichcomprises inserting a bearing member and a strip of lubricantimpregnated fibrous material within .a substantially cylindricalmetallic member of predetermined length, then applying pressure to bothends of said member to distort said member into a shape to lock andadjustably hold said bearing member in position therein, and to distorta portion of a wall of said member to form an annular ridge around theperiphery thereof.

6. A self-lubricating, self-aligning bearing, comprising a substantiallyspherical bearing member, an integral bearing member substantiallyspherical in shape and partly enclosing said first bearing member, andan annular layer of lubricant impregnated material compressed betweenthe'said two bearing members whereby to adj ustably hold and locate saidfirst spherical bearing member within said second integral bearingmember.

7 A self-lubricating, self-aligning bearing member, comprising as asingle unit a spherical inner bearing member, a'second bearing member ofuniform wall thickness and also substantially spherical in shape partlyenclosing said first bearing member, a strip of compressed lubricantimpregnated fibrous material between the two members for resiliently andadjustably holding said first bearing member in position, said outerhearing member having a portion of its wall dis.- torted to clamp andsecure a supporting plate thereto.

8. A self-lubricating, self-aligning bearing member, a comprising as asingle unit a spherical inner bearing member, a second bearing member ofuniform wall thickness and also substantially spherical in shape partlyenclosing said first bearing member, a strip of compressed lubricantimpregnated fibrous material between the two members for resiliently andadjustably holding said first bearing member in position, said outerbear ing member having a portion of its wall dis-- torted to form anannular flange to assist in securing the entire bearing member as a unitto its support.

9. A self-lubricating, self-aligning bearing, comprising a substantiallyspherical inner bearing member adapted to be held in fixed longitudinalposition, an integral, stamped sheet metal bearing member substantiallyspherical in shape and partly enclosing said first bearing member, and alayer of lubricant impregnated material substantially surroundin saidinner bearing member and compressed etween said two bearing members,said integral outer bearing member being shaped and positioned wherebyto permanently lock and adjustably locate said first spherical bearinmember in said second integral bearing mem ben- 10. A self-lubricating,self-aligning bearing, comprising a substantially spherical innerbearing member adapted to be held in fixed longitudinal position, anintegral bearing member substantially spherical in shape and partlyenclosing said first bearing member, and an annular layer of lubricantimpregnated fibrous material compressed between said two bearingmembers, said integral outer bearing member being shaped and positionedwhereby to permanently lock and adjustably locate said first sphericalbearing member in said second inte al bea'ring, said outer. bearingmember having a portion of its wall distorted to form an annular flangeto assist in securing the entire bearing member as aunit to its support.

11. The method of forming self-lubricating, self-aligning bearings,which comprises inserting a bushing of compressible material within anouter bearing having a portion of its length substantially cylindricalin shape, inserting a non-cylindrical bearing member within said bushingwhereby said bushing is spaced between the inner bearing member and theouter bearing member and then distorting the cylindrical walls oi saidouter member to form an outer bearing substantially spherical in shape,said distorting of said cylindrical portion of the outer member servingto compressand shape the bushing around the inner non-cylindrical memberand to positively locate and position said inner member.

12. The method of forming self-lubricating, self-aligning bearings,which comprises positioning a bearing unit having a substantiallyspherical outer surface and a lining of compressible material within asheet metal outer bearing member, and then distorting the walls of saidsheet metal outer member to shape the same and to simultaneously shapeand compress the material around the spherical surfaces of said innerbearing unit, the distorting of the outer sheet metal shell serving tolock the inner bearing in position, and said compressed bushing actingexpansively against the outer bearing shell and the'inner bearing unit.-

13. The method of forming self-lubricating, self-aligning bearings,which comprises inserting a bearing unit having substantially sphericaouter bearing surfaces and an outer lining of lubricant impre natedfibrous material within a substantia ly cylindrical metallic member ofpredetermined length, and then distorting the walls of said outer mem--ber whereby to positively shape said fibrous material and compress thesame around the spherical walls of the inner bearing unit whereby thesaid inner bearing unit and the fibrous bushing are positively andpermanent ly located within the distorted outer member and whereby saidcompressed fibrous material acts expansively against the inner unit andouter member.

14. A self-lubricating, self-aligning bearing, comprising an innerbearing unit having a lining for receiving a relatively movable member,the outer surface of said inner unit being substantially spherical inshape,

upon the surfaces of said two bearing members, said outer bearing memberbeing shaped to confine and maintain said material under compression andhaving a portion of its surface permanently distorted whereby to ad-'ustably but permanently lock the inner earing member in position and tomaintain said fibrous material under compression.

18. A self-lubricating, self-aligning bearing, comprising an innerbearing member having a surface of longitudinally varying contour, anouter bearing member of longitudinally varying contour, a bushing ofInbricant impregnated compressible material surrounding said innermember and compressed between and acting expansively upon the surfacesof said two bearing members, said outer bearing member substantiallyenclosing said bushin and inner member and being shaped and ormed tomaintain said an .i a1 bearing member havin g bushing under compressionand permanently i i y g Q j and P Y 611C105" but adjustably lock theinner bearing in posi- 1ng sard first bearing unit, and an annular tilayer of lubricant impregnated fibrous material compressed between thesurfaces of said inner unit and outer member, said integral outerbearing member being so shaped as to permanently lock and position saidinner bearing unit within said integral outer member.

15. A self-lubricating, self-aligning bearing, comprising an innerbearing member having a surface of longitudinally varying contour, asheet metal oute'r bearing member substantially spherical in shape, andan annular layer of lubricant impregnated material compressed betweenthe surfaces of said two bearing members, said outer sheet metal bearingmember having a portion of its surface permanently distorted whereby toad justably but permanently lock the inner bearing member in positionand to maintain said fibrous material under compression.

16. A self-lubricating, self-aligning bearing, comprising an innerbearing member having a surface of longitudinally varying contour, ametal outer bearing member having a longitudinally varying contour, abushing of compressible material substantially surrounding said innermember and compressed between the surfaces of said two bearing members,said outer metal bearing member being integrally formed and permanentlyshaped whereby to maintain said bushing under compression andpermanently but adjustably member imposition.

17. A self-lubricating, self-aligning bearing comprising an innerbearing member having a surface of longitudinally varying contour, anouter bearing member having a longitudinally varying contour, and alayer of lubricant impregnated material substantially surrounding saidinner member and lock the inner bearing 19. A self-lubricating,self-aligning bearing, comprising an inner bearing member having asurface of longitudinally varying contour, an outer bearing member oflongitudinally varying contour, an annular bushing of lubricantimpregnated compressible material surrounding said inner member andcompressed between and actin expansively upon the surfaces of said twoaring members, said outer bearing member substantially enclosing saidbushing and inner bearing member and being shaped relative to the endsof said compressed bushing to confine said annular bushing between saidtwo bearing members and to maintain said bushing under compression andpermanently but adj ustably lock the inner bearing in position.

20. A self-lubricatm self-aligning bearing, comprising a su stantiallyspherical bearing member, an integral bearing member of longitudinallyvarying contour including inturned end portions and partly enclosingsaid first bearing member, and an annular layer of lubricant impregnatedmaterial compressed and confined between the said two bearing memberswhereby to adjustably hold and locate said first spherical bearingmember within said second integral bearing member.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

NEWTON SKILLMAN.

compressed between and acting expansively

